by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

The Parish Priest of St John’s Catholic Church Kudenda, Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aketeh Bako, who was kidnapped eight weeks ago, has been reportedly slaughtered by his abductors.

Rev Fr Bako was reportedly kidnapped from his residence on the 8th of March, 2022, at St John’s Catholic Church Kudenda, where he was serving as Parish Priest. 

A statement signed by Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel and made available to journalists in Kaduna this Wednesday urged Christians to continue to pray for his peaceful repose and for the consolation of the bereaved Christian Community in the Archdiocese of Kaduna.

“It is with a heavy heart, but with total submission to the will of God that we announce the death of Rev. Fr. Joseph Aketeh Bako, which sad event took place in the hands of his abductors, between 18th and 20th of April, 2022. 

“Fr Joseph, aged 48, was kidnapped from his residence, in St John’s Catholic Church, Kudenda, where he was serving as Parish Priest, on the 8th of March, 2022. The fact of the circumstances leading to his death and the date of the incident have been carefully verified, hence this communication at this time.

“Most Revd. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, has communicated his deepest sympathies to his immediate family and the entire Catholic Community of St John Kudenda; and assured them of his fraternal closeness and prayers,” it added.

The statement stressed that “Details of his funeral arrangement will be announced as soon as they are ready. Meanwhile, kindly continue to pray for his peaceful repose and for the consolation of the bereaved Christian Community in the Archdiocese of Kaduna.”

Unconfirmed sources, however, alleged that, N10 million was paid as ransom before the priest was killed due to inability to make up for an additional N10 million demanded by his abductors.